The Cardinals could be interested in signing a star outfielder this offseason.

St. Louis plans to "explore" the market for star free agent outfielder Bryce Harper and "see how they fit," according to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which cites unidentified league sources.

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The Cardinals, who have missed the playoffs three straight seasons, are "sending signals they are out to be a player" in free agency, the report says.

"Do I agree that we need some level of elite talent to compete at the highest level? Yeah, I'd accept that," Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. "In a perfect world, you're developing that. But we have not been able to. Part of that is where we (draft). … Do I think there's opportunity here? Yes.

"We understand that there is an opportunity in this market … and we have to be open-minded to see where that takes us."

The 26-year-old Harper slashed .249/.393/.496 with 34 home runs and 100 RBIs in 159 games with the Nationals in 2018.

Harper has spent all seven of his MLB seasons with the Nationals. He is a six-time All-Star and won the MVP award in 2015.